





' 



Wndftf ok h* 



WM TMeMs iii Rhyme. 

■ 

Price by mail $1.25. 

For sale by all Booksellers, and 
by the Publishers. 



HIBRARY OF CONGRESS. # 



JjP/te/I ,1.2. 



! UNITED STATES OP AMERICA, 



Wild Thoughts in Rhym 



BY 



ARNOLD I S L E R . 



"U 



OF 

: 
[93 



COLU M B US: A 

SMYTHE & CO. 
1873- 






-?^%\^ 

i* 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1873, by 

ARNOLD ISLER, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



Press of Smythe & Co., 

Columbus, Ohio. 



PREFACE. 



T 



HE rhymes in this volume may be thought 
to possess little or do merit, but verse mak- 
ing has not been, neither is it,, the chief pursuit 
of my life. An infant exile from my native hills 
of Switzerland at the early age of five years ; a 
runaway and "street arab " at nine; a soldier boy 
in the 23rd Ohio Infantry at twelve ; without a 
home, friends or means, I grew up untaught, un- 
lettered, and without culture. Knowing no art but 
the promptings of a wild, wayward nature, I rhymed, 
perhaps, without reason, and because I had nothing 
else to do that I liked better. I claim no further 
merit than that I have written with all simplicity, 
and according to ability and opportunity. 

I am very much indebted to my kind friends 
LuKe G. Byrne, Capt. Geo. Cunningham, and 
David Welling, for generous aid extended toward 
the formation and publication of this work. 

A. I. 



TO KATE 



ESTEBDA r. wandering with shoeless feet, 
A runaway* facing the wind's cold blast ; 

w^> And with the vagabonds who haunt the street — 
With "U that was villainous I was classed ; 

The world looked on me as a lost outcast; 

Scorn' d me, mock'd me, but never tried to cheer 

My sodden d heart; people hastily passed 
Where I stood, as if they were in fear 
That I might cry for help if they lingered near. 

And while the world saw me in deep despair, 
Miserable and wretched, yet would not move 

One single step to aid me — thou didst dare 

To meet the world's scorn for me ; thou sweet dove 

Did' st dare to give to me thy virgin love, 

When others would not e'en approach me near ; 

Thou dared to smile for me when all above 

Was darkness; with thy voice charmingly clear, 
Thou raised my sinking heart with sweet words of cheer. 

Thou did' st not shun the dark-eyed stranger, 
Altho* thy nearest friends bade thee "beware;" 

Thou wast too innocent to fear the danger 

That others feared ; thy heart was free from care, 

And thou could- st not see me lost in despair ; 
So thou didst sing for me enchanting lays, 

That thrilled me with their sweetness rich and, rare ; 
While smiles 9 yond the pow'r of my rhymes to praise 
With justice, beam' 'd for me on thy beautiful face. 

To-d.ay this life of mine seems wondrous bright, 
The world that looked so dark but yesterday — 



TO KATE. 

Has met with sudden change ; and now the light 
Of Heaven shim'* lustrously o'er my way. 

I need not now with shoeless feet to stray, 
Or brave the storm, in some lone, dismal street— 

I have comforts now to make life dear; yen, 
And friends seek me now in my own retreat, 
And Lore <nid Friendship me with pleasures a reel. 

lint Kate, this chqnge of fortune cannot more me; 

My souVs thoughts, my heart's love— all that is mine, 
I have most willingly resigned to thee ; 

The? other faces be as fair as thine, 
Tho' other eyes may just as brightly shine, 

Tho? other lips may be as sweet to press, 
And other hearts give love as pure, divine, 

Yet, darling Kate, I am thine, thine to bless, 

Thy true companion thro' the world's wide wilderness. 

<), I love thee ! I love those hazel eyes 
Tit at thrill me with their love-glances for me; 

Those bewitching smiles of thine I prize 
Far above the rarest gems of the sea ; 

But that forgiving spirit born in thee, 

T r rize above all thy other charms ; thou art 

My heart's choice, and evermore will be 
Nearest to me ; my love will never part 
From thee, but will for e'er find peace within thy heart. 

f am thine, wife, love, thine forevermore ; 

And thou art mine, and we are two in one ; 
Let winds blow ivild, let thunders loudly roar, 

Let rains pour down and in deep torrents run ; 
Let thick darkness come, let the proud red sun 

Hide behind the black clouds ; ha ! what care we f 
We'll cling together till life's task is done— 

Thro* sorrow and pleasure, no odds what, be 

Two in one, thro' all life, thro' all eternity. 



CONTENTS 



THE LAMENT 9 

I 12 

KISSING ON THE SLY 1 4 

THE POOR 17 

MY GIRL 19 

CUBA 2 1 

epigram — on a critic 23 

the beautiful girls 24 

at the break of day 2% 

to my little darling 3 1 

the pirate's song ^^ 

well- a -day 35 

i welcome you as a brother 37 

epigram on a printer 39 

woman's work 40 



vm. CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

A PRACTICAL BLESSING 43 

GONE 44 

the answer 47 

epigram on a d. d 50 

hans fritz's bear story 51 

epitaph — on a liar 53 

buggy-riding 54 

to a dead comrade 57 

epigram on a young lady 59 

every day 60 

disowned 63 

follow me 65 

EPIGRAM 67 

HER BEAU 68 

AN HYMENEAN ODE 70 

SWEETHEART OF MINE 73 

LINES ON KISSING KATE 74 

WAITING FOR THE STAGE 75 

THE LOVER'S PLEA 78 

EPIGRAM ON A TEACHER ' 82 

OCR POETS 83 

ISADORE 86 

THE PRISONER 88 

THE CHIEFTAIN 95 

ZELAIDE IQI 

RUSTICATING io 3 



Y\ / ild houghts in J^hyme. 



T H E L A M E X T 



J OURS pass drearily. 

Slowly, unch eerily. 
Passes the day; 
Life now seems drear to me. 
She who was dear to me. 
Faithful, sincere to me, 
Lias pass'd away. 

To come back nevermore — 
To rest forevermore — 

In realms above. 
Why did death come so soon ? 
Strike my love dumb so soon ? 
Ah, me ! leave numb so soon, 

My darling love ? 



THE LAMENT. 

O 1 she was beautiful, 
Gentle and dutiful, 

Heart full of cheer; 
Sang songs deliciously, 
Acted judiciously, 
Life passed auspiciously, 

Till death came near. 

Took my sweetheart away, 
My life's best part away, 

All that I adore. 
All that gave cheer to me, 
All that was dear to me, 
All that was near to me, 

But near no more. 

O ! I would death was nigh, 
That my last breath was nigh, 

That life was o'er : 
For day is now night to me, 
Eyes that gave light to me, 



THE LAMENT. n 

And shone so bright for me, 
Will shine no more. 

But why here weeping now 1 
Angels are keeping now, 

My love so fair ; 
In that sweet land of love. 
Where that bright band of love, 
Ruled by command of love, 

Dwells free from care. 

Onward I'll roam each day, 
Nearer that home each day, 

That Elysian shore ; 
Where I will meet my love, 
Joyously greet my love, 
Be with thee, sweet, my love, 

Forevermore. 



I 



WHO am I? Why, myself— Me! 
Well, who is me J Why myself — I ! 



I, that is me. Now I see 

Thro' it. I'm getting nigh 
The point. I am ! I know this to be 

A fact. I am what % 
Ah ! there it is. I am what % I see 
And still I do not. 
Yet I do know I am ; 'tis a great treat 

To know so much. To know I am a tiling, 
A living thing, that lives thro' bitter and sweet, 

For what? That's it, for what? I talk, 1 sing, 
I feel, I hear, I see, I laugh, I weep ; 
I love, I hate, I work, I play, I sleep; 
And in my sleep I dream. In dreams I see 



Strange things, strange scenes, strange faces appear 

to me ; 
I wake, and lo ! I find myself where I 
Was before I courted sleep. I sigh, 
i rise, I eat, I drink, I live, I die ! 
Then what 2 

Ah ! there it is : 
What not — 

'Cross Death's abyss 1 
Another life like this I 

God forbid ! 
I would rather forevermore lie hid 
In Earth's cold clay, forever senseless, dead ! 
Than live another life like this, and tread 
Again the rough, changing pathway of life, 
Brave over again this mixed up mystic strife. 



KISSING ON THE S L Y . 



\T 7ASTE as you will your hours of leisure. 

You young folks, low and high, 
No doubt you all have some sweet pleasure. 

On which you do rely ; 
Hut there is nothing half so pleasant, — 

That is to Jane and I, — 
When we know there's no one present 

As "kissing on the sly.' 7 

Now, Jane's mother does not believe in 

This "kissing on the sly;" 
She thinks young men are so deceiving, 

Girls ought to be more shy ! 
i!ut Jane, like me, can't see the harm in 

(When no one else is nigh), 



KISSIJfG OJJ THE SLY, 13 

Kissing. Oh ! it is so charming. 
This "kissing on the sly." 

"Sides, Jane and I have many reasons 

For "kissing on the sly;" 
Tis just as good in all the seasons, 

Be seasons wet or dry; 
It don't play out like other pleasures. 

Nor need we to apply 
To any keen and severe measures, 

For " kissing on the sly." 

When Jane's mother is down the cellar, 

And no one else is nigh, 
Jane looks roguishly at her fellow, 

Meaning, " How's this for high % " 
While I, you see, draw somewhat nearer 

To this maiden so shy, 
For well I know that naught can cheer her, 

As "kissing on the sly." 



KISSING OJI THE SLY. 

Time passes fast; Jane and I soon will be 

Tied together by that tie 
Called the wedlock tie, but we'll still be 

Innocently, Jane and I ; 
And though some of life's joys may perish 

As the years go gliding by, 
Yet there is one we'll ever cherish — 

"Tis " kissing on the si v." 



THE POOR. 



D 



|AY after day 
Toiling away, 
To fill the rich man's treasure, 
To give him wealth and pleasure. 
Ah ! but small is the measure, 

Little the pay. 
That the poor man gets for toiling 
Day after day. 

Stitch after stitch, 
Sewing for the rich, 
All the long day so dreary, 
In her cot, lone, uncheery, 
With fingers, sore, weary, 
Sewing away, 



THE (POOfc. 

Poor woman sewing for the wealthy, 
Day after day. 

Work, work away C- 

Day after day. 
What care " we rich' 7 for the poor? 
What 7 s it to us what they endure 
From misfortunes and troubles'? Sure, 

We give them pay; 
Besides kicks, threats, and curses, 

Day after day. 

O God! defend 

The poor, befriend 
Them in the hour of trouble. 
Let not their sorrows double, 
Let not their bright hopes bubble 

Into despairs- 
Keep them, O Father! forever, 

Under Thy care. 



MY GIRL. 



T)RETTIEST. 

Wittiest, 
Among all the girls ; 

The sweetest, 

The neatest, 
More precious than pearls. 

Industr'ous, 

Not blustrous, 
But modest and kind ; 

She's spareful, 

She's careful, 
And all right in mind. 

She faints not, 
She paints not, 



20 MY GI'kL. 

Like some foolish girls; 
She pouts not, 
She spouts not, 

Because her hair curls. 

Not childish, 

Not wildish, 
Not running here, there ; 

Not frettish, 

Coquettish, 
Like some young girls are. 

Not wealthy, 

Bat healthy, 
And alarmingly smart 

A dandy 

With candy 
Can not win her heart 



CUBA, 



Hark ! do you hear the war-like tramping i 
Hark 1 do you hear the church bells ringing I 

Sons of Cuba on mountains camping, 
Daughters of Cuba in valleys singing, 
"For Liberty make way ! " 

Each day brings news of a battle ! 

Thro' out the Isle the war flags are flying ! 
Thro'out the Isle the loud cannons rattle ! 

Thro'out the Isle the poor slaves are crying 
" For Liberty make way ! " 

O, ye heavens, so bright and serene ! 

What does this mean, 

This terrific war scene? 
This shower of blood on the fields so green 1 



j j CU(BJ. 

This cry for revenge from the tongues of slaves '( 
This sudden gathering of Cuba's braves? 
This meeting of armies on hill and plain? 
Hi is grand uprising against the powers of Spain r ( 

What does it mean? It means death to all 

Who dare to fight against freedom, and enthrall 

Human beings whom the Almighty made 

Out of the same dust, tho ; of a different shade: 

For Liberty is now leading the school, 

That long has suffered meath priestly rule : 

It means that the tyrants over the main, 

Have no right in America to reign ! 

It means that rather than to live a slave, 

And die to be laid in an unmarked grave, 

A true spirited man will willingly brave — 

And fight with zeal unconquerable — 

The combined elements of earth and hell. 

Americans! stand ye not idle to-day! 
Push with your arms to the shore of Cuba. 



CU<BJ—E&l&kJM. 

Go, and fight for them who for freedom fight. 

Help them defend what is noble and right 
And to thee — O, Goddess of Liberty ! 
March on, forever victoriously. 

And damned be he. 

Whoever he may be, 
That ventures to raise a sword against thee. 
May, 1869. 



EPIGRAM, 



H 



ON A CRITIC. 

E deems himself wise, a master in the world*! 
grand school ; 



He calls my rhymes the thoughts of a silly 
young elf; 
A wise man can not criticise the works of a fool, 
Without making a fool of himself. 



THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS. 



AH, the girls, the beautiful girls! 

With their laughing eyes and dancing curls : 
How they bewitch us by day and by night, 
How they cause our hearts to beat with delight, 
Pleasing, 

Teasing, 

Charming creatures ! 
Bewitching smiles brightening their features; 
How can they deceive us, as ofttimes they do, 
With sweet glowing words and eyes of bright blue ? 

How dearly we prize the beautiful girls, 
Far above rubies, diamonds or pearls ! 
How delighted we feel whenever we meet 



THE 'BEAUTIFUL GMLS. 23 

The pretty, loved ones on the busy street 
Walking. 

Talking. 

Smiling so sweet. 
Dressed in dresses made exquisitely neat; 
But it beats the Old Harry what a big price 
"We men" have to pay for those dresses so nice. 

Oh, die girls, the beautiful girls ! 

How we love to finger their dancing curls : 

How we love to see roses, fresh and sweet. 

Bloom on their cheeks, while Love's moments fleet : 

Cooing, 

Wooing, 

Evening hours away, 
Little dreaming of the coming day; 
Kissing is sweet, and squeezing is sport — 
Who wouldn't be a member of Cupid's court ( 

Oh ! it 's strange how our beautiful girls 

Have got into the habit of shaking their curls, 

And smiling, whenever they chance to meet 

4 



.v THE (BEAUTIFUL GMLS. 

A fancy-dressed fop on the busy street; 
Winking, 

Blinking, 

Flirting away ; 
Ostentously walking the streets all day ; 
Dear, innocent girls! "just out on a lark — 
Who cares for mother — we '11 be home before dark. " 

Once I fell in love with a beautiful girl, 

With pretty black eyes, that would snap and whirl ; 

And soft, warm cheeks, never stained with paint, 

And lips — by the god's! they'd tempt a saint; 

Daily, 

Gayly, 

My bonnie Jane ! 
Met me at the end of the old farm lane; 
Fondly embraced 'neath a chestnut tree — 
Farth was Fly si um when she was with me ! 

The sweetest scenes in life will ofttimes change 
To the bitterest; so you'll not deem it strange 
If I should tell you, in a deacon-like way,- 



THE (BEAUTIFUL GIRLS. 27 



That on one delectable summer day 
My love. 

My dove, 

My innocent Jane ! 
Left her home to follow a circus-train : 
Oh, Cupid ! how couldst thou so cruelly seize 
My love, to mount her on the dizzy trapeze '? 

Still, I love the beautiful girls ! 

With their laughing eyes and dancing curls, 

And go I through pleasure, and go I through woe, 

I will think of them wherever I go ; 

Dearly, 

Sincerely, 

My heart does beat 

For the lasses, so lovely, and good, and sweet ; 
Bewitching creatures, more precious then pearls — 
A fig for earth without the beautiful girls ! 



A T THE BREAK OF DA Y 



T EAVING silent chamber 

For the sylvan lawn; 
Viewing Nature's beauties 

At the break of dawn; 
For Nature seemeth fairest, 

(So the poets say) : 
Loveliest and liveliest, 

At the break of day. 

Listening to the murmurs 
Of waters flowing by; 

Beautiful deep river ! 

Clear as a maiden's eye; 

Merrily and cheerfully, 
Rippling away; 



JTT THE (BtREjtK OF <DAY. 2c 

Everything seemeth lively 
At the break of day. 

Listening to the song-birds, 

So full of love and cheer ; 
Flitting through the branches. 

Ofttimes flitting near, 
Deliciously caroling 

Morning hours away ; 
Everything seemeth lively 

At the break of day. 

Listen, birds, oh, listen! 

Some sweet voice I hear ; 
Yes, it is my darling, 

Coming, coming near ! 
Pretty, dark-eyed Katie, 

Ever blithe and gay, 
Singing in the morning, 

At the break of day. 



AT THE WREAK OF (LAW 

Halloo ! here is Rover r 

Standing on a rail I 
Jolly little fellow, 

Wiggling his tail % 
Hears somebody whistling — 

Quickly runs away : 
Everything seemeth lively 

At the break of day. 

Golden sun appearing 

In the distant East, 
Majestically rising — 

Heavens I What a feast I 
Everything seemeth lovely, 

Pleasant, bright and gay — 
Everything seemeth lively 

At the break of day. 



TO MY LITTLE DARL I N G> 



*T^HE moon is shining o'er us. 

The stars are brightly gleaming ; 
The scene is fair before us, 

Sweet love, with bright eyes beaming. 

My arms fondly enfold thee. 
With rapture to my bosom ; 

My eyes with joy behold thee. 
My love, my pretty blossom ! 

My love of loves sincerest 
From thee I ne'er will sever ; 

False to thee? Never, dearest! 
I must love thee forever ! 

And if e'er o'er my blossom 
Dark clouds threaten and lower, 



TO MY LITTLE <LA(RLlMh 

I'll take thee to my bosom 
Till the angry storm is over. 

Til shield thee when in trouble, 
From tongues that idly prattle ; 

Though misfortunes 'round thee double., 
Til bravely for thee battle. 

And when thy heart meets sadness. 

And gloom around thee presses, 
I'll win thee back to gladness 

With kisses and caresses. 

But, I hear the watch-dog snarling ; 

The old folks are behind us ! 
So kiss me good-night, darling; 

I hardly think they'll find us. 



THE PIRATE'S SONG. 



A BOVE me terrific thunder is crashing, 

About me the scorching lightning is flashing. 
Against me the furious waves are dashing, 

But my spirit is happy and free! 
Storm after storm has madly passed o'er me. 
And the red jaws of hell have opened before me, 
Vet my ship sailed on, as a conquerer bore me 
O'er the deep blue billowy sea : 
Let thunder crash, 
Let lightning flash, 
Let wild waves dash, 
I heed not the danger, 
To fear I am a stranger, 
Life's storms can make no change in me ! 



34 



THE (P URATE'S SOJJG. 



['ve stood on deck when the bullets were flying., 
While in death my comrades around me were lying, 
Till my ears were deaf with the groans of the dying. 

But my spirit was happy and free ! 
I have seen my enemies thicken about me. 
While cutlass and knife swirled 'round and 'round me. 
But I came out triumphant, no foe has yet bound me. 
As soon might they bind up the sea 1 
Let bullets fly, 
Let comrades lie 
In blood, and die ; 
I'll give up, no, never ! 
Then on ship, forever ! 
Life's storms can make no change in me. 



W E L L - A - D A Y . 



^YXCE I was so young and happy, 

Free and gay ; 
Dressed so well, so neat and ilashy, 

Got good pay; 
Passed away my hours of leisure. 
On life's glassy sea of pleasure, 
Until I fell in beyond my measure, 

Weli-a-day ! 

Once I met a pretty fairy, 

Maggie May ; 
Graceful walker, stepping airy, 

Looking gay ! 
But the charming little kitten, 
(rave one eve to me the mitten, 
Strange how cruelly hearts are smitten, 

Well-a-day ! 



WMLL-J-tDAY. 

But I met another fairy 5 

On life's way ; 
Dark-eyed, rosy-faced little Mary. 

Blithe and gay ; 
And I learned to love her dearly, 
For she cherished me sincerely, 
We got married — ruined nearly — 

Well-a-day ! 

Six small fairies, with mouths like cherries, 

Full of play ; 
But this raising little fairies, 

Doesn't pay ! 
Sure man's life is full of trouble, 
Every year his sorrows double, 
Till he dies out like a bubble, 

Well-a-day ! 



I W ELCOME YOU AS A BROTHER. 



LINES WRITTEN ON A YOUNG FRIEND BECOMING 
A MEMBER OF CENTRAL LODGE, NO. 23, OF THE 
I. O. O. F. 

/^OME, Charles, my Brother, give me your hand. 

You and I have been together— 
Thro' scenes of pleasure and scenes of woe, 

Thro' pleasant and gloomy weather; 
But tho' many a time you and I have met 

With friendly welcome for each other, 
The friendliest meeting is here to-night, 

Where "I welcome you as a Brother," 

We have stood together as faithful Knights 

Within our mystical borders; 
To hold counsel for the good of all, 

To obey our Chieftain's orders ; 



WELCOME YOU ASA <B®OTHE(k. 

But tho* as Companions we oft have met, 

To welcome and cheer each other, 
A happier meeting is here to-nigh t, 

Where " I welcome you as a Brother. " 

1 have stood in the palaces of kings, 

Thro' many strange lands I've wandered; 
I have slept on the blue-faced billowy sea, 

And more, fought where the cannons thundered ; 
But I have never before met with a scene, 

And may never meet with another 
That will bring delight, as I feel tomight, 

As " I welcome you as a Brother. " 

Yes, Charles, you and I are Brothers now, 

And life's path looks bright before us ; 
But this world fc is so changeable, you know, 

The blue clouds that now pass o'er us, 
May be followed by dark, murky clouds, 

That may divide us from each other ; 
But tho* my eyes see you not, my hand, Charles, 

Will know the hand of a Brother. 



WELCOME YOU AS A (B^OTHE^.jg 

Bat let us pray to our Father above. 

And in His wisdom He'll guide us : 
And you know that, if we are true to Him. 

Xo cloud can ever divide us ; 
If we faithfully stand up for the right, 

And always do unto others. 
As we would have others do unto us. 

We will live and die as Brothers, 

June, 15, 1871. 



EPIGRAM, 



ON A PRINTER. 

\T JHO'S the most "hen-like'' fellow we have 
in this place ? 

I bet, though I don't believe in betting— 
That it's Charley Lighthair, for all night he lays, 

And all the long day he is setting. 

May, 1869. 



WOMAN'S W O R K. 



r^O go to the nearest neighbor. 
And tattle all the news ; 
To keep her man at labor. 

Till he's down with the blues ; 
To ride out like a lady, 

Leaving the house in care 
Of husband and the baby, 
Both in deep despair — 
Woman's work ! 

To go from town to town, prattling 
Wildly about " woman's rights ; " 

To spend the day in tattling, 
To read the Ledger nights; 

To make her man quit housekeeping, 
And board his stamps away; 



WOMJJ^'S WORK. 41 

To enjoy mornings sleeping, 
And sometimes half the day — 
Woman's work 3 

To keep husband to caress her, 

When he ought to be away ; 
To hint how he must dress her, 

When he draws his next month's pay ; 
To raise particular thunder, 

If he don't stick to her text: 
To keep him in a wonder, 
What she 's going to say next — 
Woman's work ! 

To invite certain ladies 

Quite often to take tea, 
Bringing with them their dear babies. 

Which cry distressedly ; 

To make her man hear the clatter 

Of her knowing female friends, 

6 



WOMAN'S workK. 

Till he wishes Satan had her 
In his kingdom without ends — 
Woman's work ! 

To go quite often shopping. 

While her man is at work ; 
At each dry goods store stopping, 

Smiling, talking with each clerk ; 
To keep up with the fashion, 

Making of herself a fool ; 
To fall into a passion, 

When she finds she cannot rule — 
W Oman's Work ! 

Ah ! fickle-minded woman, 
How long will it thus be, 

That you'll act so inhuman, 
So simple, foolishly? 

You are fair and lovely, beauty 
Is beaming from your eyes ; 



WOMAN'S WORK. 4- 

If you would but do your duty, 
Earth would be a paradise. 

If you'd stop your silly chatter, 

(Woman's favorite delight,) 
Your everlasting clatter. 

Which you keep up day and night. 
You'd find this world more pleasant. 

Your home would be more blest 
With contentment, than at present, 

While you give your tongue no rest. 
June 27, 1870. 



A PRACTICAL BLESSING. 

T T ERE we sit before a table, 

Loaded with meats fresh and sweet; 
Let us eat while we are able, 

And, O Lord ! bless us while we eat. 



G ONE, 

LINES WRITTEN ON THE DEATH OF MISS LIZZIE 
REYNOLDS, 

I. 

QHE has gone, yes, gone forever, 
Far beyond the lethean river. 
To that beautiful, enchanting, bright celestial world 
above — * 
Where the angels meet in beauty, 
To perform their holy duty, 
Gathering 'round the throne of Heaven, caroling 
sweet lays of love, 
n. 
Oh ! 'twas hard to see her going 
From our household, little knowing 
When again we'd meet our darling, as we watch'd 
her slowly die ; 



GOjYE. 43 

When again we'd hear her singing, 
Melodies that still are ringing 
In our ears as clear, delightful, as in happy hours 
gone by. 

in. 

Ne'er again we'll hear her calling, 
As the evening dews are falling — 
s - Mother, lead me to my chamber, kneel beside me 
while I pray; 
While I pray to blessed Jesus, 
Who died that He might receive us 
In that land unknown to darkness, land of bright 
eternal day." 

IV. 

Ah ! our eyes are sadly weeping, 
For in death she now lies sleeping ; 
'Neath the green sod we have placed her, to rest 
forevermore. 
Ah ! our hearts will sadly miss her, 



GOJJE. 

And our love will long to kiss her, 
But we'll kiss no more our darling, her short, sweet- 
life is o'er. 

v. 

She has gone, yea, gone forever, 
Far beyond the lethean river, 
To that beautiful and happy home beyond the azure 
skies, 
With bright angels' voices ringing, 
Thro' the realms of Heaven singing. 
Blessed are the good and faithful, for of such is 
Paradise. 
Jan. 28, 1871. 



T HE A N S W E R . 



[One evening, while at a revival, a number of my 
Christian friends requested me to go forward and 
kneel at the " altar of God. " I did not feel like 
going forward ; and as I am but a boy without 
even a common education, and unqualified to reason 
with the learned, I was unable to tell them why 
I refused their kind offer. After they had left me, 
to continue the exercise of the evening, I com- 
posed the following in answer] : 



TT J HEN thro' the dismal streets I wandered. 

Without a friend to guide me,— 
A little rag-clad beggar. 

Without a kind one near me; 
When man deem'd himself too noble, 

To even walk beside me — 
I knelt and prayed in silence, 

And Jesus came to cheer me. 



H 



18 THE AMSW&k. 



When I stood on the field of battle. 

Where Hell ope'd wide before me, 
And the wild clash of bayonets 

Was ringing around me : 
I looked, and lo I in the Heavens 

I saw angels hovering o'er me ; 
I felt safe, for I knew Jesus 

Would ne'er let foes surround me. 

in. 

And when life's darkest storm was working- 
It's best to terrify me ; 

When the world saw me forsaken, 
Yea, lost in my own sadness; 

When even the godliest mortal 
Spoke sneeringly to try me, 

Christ came, and with words endearing 
He filled my soul with gladness. 



THE UJfSWEGt: ac 



IV. 

Now, as I sit within the temple 

Of the God who dwells above me. 
Kind Christians gather 'round me 

To warn my soul of dangers — 
To tell me I am lost forever, 

If Jesus does not love me ; 
Beg me kneel before the altar, 

As if Christ and I were strangers. 

v. 

Kind Christians and holy ministers, 
Go unto them who need ye : 

The poor, the hungry beggars, 
The wretched and forsaken ; 

Show them the road to happiness, 
I know that they will heed ye ; 

And Christ will bless your labors, 

And their spirits he'll awaken. 

7 



50 THE AJJSWE'R. 

VI. 

But leave me, for I am contented — - 

Yea, I care not if to-morrow- 
Finds me in silence resting 

My head on death's cold pillow; 
I know my soul will be accepted 

In that land unknown to sorrow, 
While kind friends will bury my remains 

Beneath the weeping willow. 
Feb. 14, 1871. 



EPIGRAM. 



ON A D. D. 

j _T E pointed to the Crucifixion' and sternly 

preached 
Damnation unto all who were unbaptized; 
And I stepped behind him, while his doctrine he 

taught, 
And lo ! Satan was holding up the dead Christ ! 



HANS FRITZ'S BEAR STORY. 



~\ TON summer day, so cool and mild. 

I valked in roods so werry vild ; 
And tere I sees von mighty pear, 
Whose eyes at me did vildly stare. 

Says I, Hans Fritz, vot vill you do 1 
If you stay here de pear eat you ; 
And if you run, de pear he run ; 
Py tarn ! I tinks dis pees no fan. 

I looks and looks to see if I 
Could see some friend a coming nigh, 
But not a friend could I then see, 
And still de pear stares vild at me. 

Vhen de pig pear shakes his pig head, 
I tinks I now vill soon pe dead ; 



J 



2 HAJ\ T S FRITZ'S (BEjHR STOttY. 

Then de pig pear jumps right for me, 
And then Hans Fritz goes for a tree. 

De pear he coomes, and up I goes 
Von pig oak tree ; for veil I knows 
That if de pear gets hold of me, 
I nevermore Hans Fritz will pe. 

Mine Got ! Mine Got ! Vot do I see ? 



Dat savage pear cooraes up de tree 



I tinks, alas ! my tays are o'er ! 

Von Dutchman soon vill pe no more. 

Now on a limb, now up de tree, 
And still de pear does follow me. 
Golly ! I tinks Tse got someting ; 
Yes — in my pouch tere pees von string. 

So now I vill tie it around 

Dis pig oak limb I knows pe sound ; 

I does it quick, for veil I knows 

De pig-mouthed pear pees werry close. 



HjLNS FRITZ'S fBEjfflt STOftY 

I gets it tied, and den I takes 
A hold of it ; py tarn, it preaks ! 
Down, down I goes, vay down de tree 3 
I tinks Hans Fritz vill cease to pe, 

I hits de ground mit feet and head, 
Tunder and blixen ! and yet not dead $ 
[t hurts me so I gives von schream, 
I vake, and lo ! it's but a dream ! 

Kind friends, von tings I vish to say : 

Let lager peer alone at day; 

For if you trinks as oft I do, 

A pig-mouthed pear may coome to you. 

Julv, 1869. 



EPITAPH ON A LIAR. 

OING and be merry; for here lies 
The greatest liar 'neath the skies : 
On earth he served his Father well, 
So now he lives with him in Hell. 



BUGGY RIDING. 



/~\ H ! give me a ride, a buggy ride, 

With my sweet little darling by my side- 
My blithe little girl with a rosy cheek, 
And not afraid now and then to speak, 
Nor afraid of being fondly entwined 
By an arm that lazily lingers behind. 

What a joy it is, 

What elysian bliss, 
I feel when out riding with my pretty miss ! 

O, you city chaps, so lively and gay ! 

You may sing of promenades up Broadway; 

Of fine Sunday afternoons at the Park; 

Of open-air concerts after dark; 

Of operas grand, where you oftentimes meet: 



(BUGGY (RI(Z)IJ7G. '55 

And festive saloons, where sweet danties you eat; 

It's all very nice. 

Especially the price 
That you pay to make earth a paradise. 

Prize the enjoyments that make your hours flee, 
For scant the delight they furnish for me ; 
But give me an occasional buggy ride, 
With my sweet little darling by my side ; 
Then hurrah for fun as away we go, 
Over hills and glens, riding to and fro, 

Happy are we, 

And jolly and free, 
As we dash o'er the highway so merrily. 

And she sings to me, my sweetest of girls, 
With sparkling dark eyes and auburn curls. 
Enchanting my heart with sweet melodies, 
As we slowly ride 'gainst the soft, cool breeze; 
And her coral lips meet mine with a kiss, 



5f. (BUGGY mcM JIG. 

As I draw her closer, the sweet little miss: 
And the moon gives light y 
And the stars shine bright, 

As we leisurely take our homeward flight. 

Seasons may come, and seasons may go, 
And life see scenes of pleasure or woe ; 
Hut where'er I am, and whatever I see, 
Nothing will give as much pleasure to me 
As on a starry night a buggy ride r 
With my own fair darling sitting by my side, 

Alone and free r 

Jolly lovers are we, 
As we dash o'er the highway so merrily. 



T O A DEAD COMRAD E. 



P) EST, comrade, rest; Ah! I think of thee sadly, 
I think of the days when I was with thee ; 
When together we went to battle-field gladly, 

To fight for our home, the land of the free ; 
I little then dreamed the close of the battle 

Would find thee numbered among the slain ; 
That the clash of arms, the cannon's loud rattle. 
Would bring thee to me never again. 

Memory brings back the night I found thee lying, 
Wounded, bleeding, so bravely waiting for death ; 

Memory, must I again see him dying 1 

Again feel my comrade's last suffering breath ? 

Again hear him speak of his sorrowing mother, 
Who had gone before him to realms above ? 



58 TO A T)EA<b COM&J<DE. 

Again hear him speak with sobs of another, — 
The bright-eyed maiden who cherished his love ? 

I see again thy bright hazel eyes beaming. 

Comrade, I see again that face of thine ; 
The same golden stars that were o'er ns gleaming, 

Are gleaming to-night in their beauty divine ; 
But thou art no more ; the green sod lies o'er thee ? 

Thy spirit dwells now in Heaven above. 
With her who went there long, long years before 
thee, 

To chant with the angels carols of love. 

Rest, comrade, rest ; sadly o'er me are creeping 
Memories of thee, thou so noble and brave ; 

Gladly I would that 'twas I who was sleeping — 
That thou wert living, and I in thy grave; 

That earth's fondest hopes around thee were clinging, 
That life with its joys gave pleasure to thee ; 

O ! 'twould be bliss, wert thou here to-night singing- 
Sweet happy songs as thou oft sang to me. 



TO A ®EA(h COM(kjt*DE. 50 

Rest, comrade, rest; thy bright days are o'er, 

The cold, mouldering clay now forms thy bed; 
In dreams o'er thy grave sings thy comrade rover, 

And weeps, sadly weeps o'er the grave of the 
dead. 
Thy land may forget thee — forget thou did'st ever 

Fall for the cause of the noble and free : — 
But, comrade, while life lasts, forget thee I'll never; 

Memory will ever blend life's past with thee. 

May 30, 1870. 



E P I G R A M. 



OX A YOUNG LADY WHO CLAIMS TO BE THE " BELLE 
OF THE CITY." 

TF " Beauty" is made by " Virtue" alone, 

I'm sorry to say 'tis little you own ; 
But if "Folly" and " Paint" can make one pretty, 
Then truly you are the Belle of the City. 



EVERY DAY. 



r | ^HIS world is growing faster 

Every day; 
There's nothing e'er will pass her, 

So they say ; 
But I'll bet my " apple-grinder," 
(That is, if I can find her,) 
That to-morrow . will leave behind her 

Yesterday. 

This world is growing wiser 

Every day ; 
Scientific men revise her 

Every day; 
Population is growing bigger, 
Giving more work for Death's digger— 



EVEtRY fDAY. ' 6: 

More respect paid to the "nigger," 

Every clay. 

This world is growing keener 

Every day : 
All but Greely — she grows greener 

Every day ; 
Och, begorra ! 'tis alarming 
What that "old girl knows 'bout farming," 
And tells it to us in such a charming. 

Graceful way. 

This world is growing wickeder 

Every day, 
Tho' Beecher gets a lick at her 

Every day; 
Yet "Christianity" is fading. 
Folks are tired of "pilgrim raiding/'' 
Tired of church promenading 

Every day. 



02 EVERY 'DAY. 

This world is growing prouder 

Every day ; 
"Female roosters' 7 crowing louder 

Every day; 
Aristocrats are growing lazier, 
Politicians are growing crazier, 
Making things grow somewhat hazier 

Every day. 

This world is growing drearier 

Every day ; 
Many are growing wearier 

Every day; 
Many leave this world of evil, 
And I'm thinking on the level 
Many are going to the Devil 

Every day. 
July 14, 1870. 



DISOWNED. 



r~\ARKXESS surrounding me, 
Dark thoughts confounding me. 
Filling me with anguish; 
Cast out, disowned ; ah me ! 
Friendless, unknown ; ah me ! 
Left here alone ; ah me ! 
In pain to languish. 

Though many pray for me. 
Xot any stay for me, 

To cheer and befriend me ; 
Oh ! what are prayers to me 
When no one cares for me, 
When no one dares for me 

To speak, and defend me ? 



<£ISOWJJE(D. 64 

True worldly charity 
Is really a rarity 

To a lost woman ; 
Never befriending her, 
Kindly attending her, 
But ready for sending her 

To hells inhuman. 

But though earth's no peace for me, 
The Savior has ease for me 

Stored up in Heaven ; 
Though unprotected here, 
Scorned and rejected here, 
I'll be accepted there — 

Welcome and fomiven. 



FOLLOW ME 



A DEEP spell of sadness has come o'er me, 
The merriment of my soul has fled; 
My heart, once so light, now beats wretchedly, 

And silently longs for the dead. 
For whene'er I mingle in the gay crowd, 

I hear above its mirth — wild and free — 
A sweet mystic voice, and it crieth aloud : 
Follow me ! follow me ! follow me ! 

And when glitt'ring stars in the heavens shine 

So brightly on the face of earth ; 
And the babbling brooklets in sweet notes chime 

With the nightingale's charming mirth; 
Then, as in my silent chamber I lie 

Entranced by nature's melody, 



66 FOLLOW ME. 

I'm startled by that low mystical cry : 
Follow me ! follow me ! follow me ! 

O, Father of Light ! What meaneth these words 

That haunt my ears each day and night? 
So soft, yet as sweet as .the musical birds 

That charm me with songs of delight 
Can it be some one in that wondrous land, 

Where spirits bask happy and free ! 
Can it be I'm wanted by one of that band, 

Who crieth : follow me ! follow me ! 

Perchance it is she who once made life so dear — 

My mother, whose soul went above, 
To that home ever free from sorrow and fear, 

That kingdom of eternal love; 
But loving me so well, she has left that shore, 

To guide me o'er life's troubled sea; 
O ! is it my mother who crieth o'er and o'er : 

Follow me ! follow me ! follow me J 



FOLLOW ME. 67 

To-night I'm among the blithe and gay, 

Whose faces look happy and glad ; 
Kind friends request me to join in play, 

But my heart is too wretched and sad; 
For above the voices of the festive crowd — 

Above their notes of innocent glee — 
I hear that strange voice, and it calleth aloud : 

Follow me ! follow me ! follow me ! 
Sept. 7, 1872. 



EPIGRAM. 



U A RE you a Lawyer?" "Yes, sir." "Have 
much practice '? " 

" Oh ! yes ; for I'm well versed in Blaxkstone. " 
"Are you? Well, good-day; I want a man 

Who depends upon brains and backbone." 



HER BEAU, 



T)EAUTIFUL, 
Dutiful, 
Noble and sincere ; 
Speaks cheering; 
Endearing, 
Delicious and clear. 

Not antic, 

Not frantic, 
Not wasting his time ; 

Advancing, 

Not dancing 
Away every dime. 

He drinks not, 
Nor shrinks not 



HEfc (BEAU. 6g 

From doing what's right ; 

He swears not. 

Nor scares not 
Young girls into fright. 

Tho ? fearless. 

Not cheerless, 
But happy and gay ; 

Tho' stainless, 

Not brainless, 
But reasons alway. 

Ambitious, 
Judicious, 
He knows how to plan : 
Moves sprightly. 
Acts rightly — 



A true gentleman. 



AN HYMENEAN ODE. 



X T 7ILLIAM, my boy! 

I understand you'll be married to-night; 

Well, I wish you joy, 
And I hope that your future life will be bright. 
But mark my word, the step that you take to-night 
Will be either the brightest or darkest of your life ; 
So be careful and sure that you are right, 
And if so, go ahead, and make her a happy wife. 

You have coo'd her, 

Fairly woo'd her, 
Now 'tis right for you to take her 
In holy companionship for life. 
But listen to me, O, delighted lad! 
Don't you ever in life forsake her, 
Or with a man's coldness make her sad ; 



MN HYMEMEAJN 0(DE, 

Or with unreasonable words break her 
Heart : a woman's heart is tender, 

And one angry frown 

Can easily strike down 
To sickness and death her form so slender: 

So be kind to your wife 

All the days of her life, 
And blind to her faults — that is if she has any, 
And you know some women have got a good many; 

But then some men are no better off — 
And oft get on a tremendous big bender ! 

Just to get rid of a harmless cough, 

Matrimonial life is not all honey, 

Nor so exceedingly funny, 

As some young folks believe it to be ; 

And a man not overstocked with money 

Cannot be too wary 

Who he's going to mary, 
For a good many women are rather free — 

About this and that, 

And each new style hat, 



j 2 AjN HYMEJ^EJjN 04) E. 

Dasher, Corset, and God only knows what! 

Are daily and hourly anxiously sought, 

And, tho' you must borrow, they must be bought ; 

And if you can't buy, 

Why then she'll cry, 
And in murmurs rather unmusical she'll tell you 
That she's sorry she didn't marry Joe Joker, 
Charles Croaker, or even a real estate broker, 
Than such a stupid fellow. 

But, my boy, take her ! 

I know you'll ne'er make her 
Feel as if she had married the wrong fellow. 

May your heart grow lighter, 

And your path grow brighter 
Each day, as your life grows more ripe and mellow ; 

May misfortune never 

Come to you, but ever 
May fortune bless you with life's sweetest joys ; 

May your home be lighten'd, 

Yea, alarmingly brighten'd 
With " Love's dearest tokens " — girls and boys. 



SWEETHEART OF MINE. 



T IVELIEST and merriest 

Girl in the west ; 
Thy lips the cherriest 
Lips ever pressed. 

Thy teeth the pearliest, 

By nature well set; 
Thy locks the curliest 

Locks fingered yet. 

Thy eyes the queenliest 

Beneath the skies ; 
Even the sereneliest 

Are won by thine eyes. 

Thy heart the cheeriest 
Of hearts on earth ; 

TO 



74 SWEETHEART OF MIJJE. 

Winning the weariest 
With its sweet mirth. 

Thy love the holiest, 
Brought from above ; 

And I, the lowliest, 
Have won that love. 

Life, sweetest, coziest, 

Blessings be thine; 
Girl of girls rosiest ! 

Sweetheart of mine. 



LINES ON KISSING KATE. 



PAYS I to dark-eyed Kate, " How do you like this?" 

As on her coral lips I 'printed a kiss; 
"How do I like it, Johnny? The truth is this — 
I would like it if you 'd take back the kiss." 



WAITING FOR THE STAGE. 



A 1 



LINES WRITTEN IN A BAR ROOM OF A WESTERN 
TAVERN. 

LL 'round me are sitting 
Old topers, who 're hitting 
Each other with their low humorous jokes ; 
But bless me what swearing, 
Christ's name little sparing, 
For themselves little caring, — what impious folks ! 

Ah ! just hear them lying, 

I guess they are trying 
To beat Beelzebub. Well, topers, go it; 

If you don't get damn'd in — 

Yes, and get well cramm'd in — 
To Tartarus, then I am no poet. 



j6 WAITING FOfR THE STAGE. 

Sights horribly shocking ! 

Haloo ! what's that knocking, 
Kicking 'gainst the door 1 'nother toper ? All right ; 

What ! coming in tripping ? 

Surely he's been sipping. 
Haloo ! down ] Come, topers, raise him, he's tight. 

Been out all night helling, 

Pell melling, selling 
His soul to Satan for a draught of gin ; 

Children at home crying 

For bread, poor wife dying, 
He hanging 'round hell holes with companions in sin. 

"Hey, thar, you cuss writin'; 

" Bet you take delight in 
Composin' ; hey, don't you, you young chap \ 

Look out — too much thinkin' 

Wunce sot me to drinkin', 
And run thro' a fortune like a thunder clap." 



WAITING FCXR THE STAGE. 77 

"Silence, wretched being ! 

You'll soon be seeing 
The horrors of — " u Bet you mean hell; don't you, 
bub? 

Swar, that's sassy talkin', 

Boy ; set you to walkin' 
Out o' this room, you little black-eyed cub!" 



Halloo ! What ! Stage nighing l 

Yes ; hurrah ! I'm dying 
To get away from this terrible crew," 

" Passengers ? " " One." " Get in ! 

No seat, hey? Well sit in 
That colored gal's lap, guess she won't charm you! " 



THE LOVER'S PLEA, 



S~^\ ENTREAT me not to leave thee. 

I will ne'er in life deceive thee r 
But I will brighten thy future, 

If thou wilt but give to me 
The heart I so fondly cherish ; 
Without it I surely must perish, 
For my happiness, yea, my very 
Life is centered all in thee. 

I have loved thee, loved thee madly ! 
Yea, I love thee still, and gladly 
I'd enfold thee to my bosom, 
As in the Elysian days ! 
When thy presence wildly thrilled me, 
And thy notes of gladness filled me, 



THE LOVER'S fPLE^i. 

As I loved to look and linger 

O'er thy happy, pleasant ways. 

Thou didst call me then thy dearest 
Well I know I was the nearest 
To thy heart O, tell me, fairest 

Carest thou no more for me ? 
Hast thou cast me off forever, 
With the determination never 
Again to know me as thy lover— 

As the dearest one to thee? 



Thou sayest that I will not love thee 
When sorrow's clouds hang above thee ; 
That I'll seek the charms of others 
When thy beauties pass away : 
That my love for thee will grow colder 
As each day sees thee grow older ; 
And the promises be broken 
That I gave thee yesterday. 



79 



So THE LOVER'S PLEA. 

! believe me, I'll adore thee 

When the darkest clouds hang o'er thee 

1 will clear the way before -thee, 
And make cheerful thy life's strife; 

When sorrows and pains assail thee, 
Yea, and even thy senses fail thee, 
Thou wilt find me near to guide thee 
Safely through the trials of life. 

in. 

O ! entreat me not to leave thee, 
For my arms would fain receive thee. 
My quivering lips are burning 
To be pressed to thine again ; 

My heart is wildly beating 
To receive 'gain thy heart's greeting : 
O dearest ! why dost thou linger % 
Why thus keep me in this pain % 

Come again to me, O thou fairest 
Of maidens ! I know thou carest 



THE LOVER'S fPLEJ. Si 

Still for me. Thy bright, beautiful 

Hazel eyes speak love to me. 
Thy cheeks are aglow. Thy lips burning 
Like my own, for the returning 
Of the olden love, that so often 

Madden'd our hearts with glee. 



IV. 



Mine, mine again ! O the gladness 
I feel now ! the spell of sadness 
Has left me, gone, gone forever, 

And I am happy once more ; 
My sweetheart has returned, and dearer 
She seemeth to me, yea, nearer 
Unto my heart; and brighter, clearer, 

Shineth her eyes than e'er before. 

Mine, mine again ! O never, 

My own, my darling, will we sever 

1 1 



82 THE LOVEfR'S PLEA. 

Again. We'll part from each other 

Ne'er again till life is o'er. 
Thank heaven ! I again enfold thee 
To my heart; again behold thee 
Reclining thy head on my bosom, 
Mine, mine forevermore ! 



EPIGRAM. 



ON A TEACHER WHO HAS A HABIT OF LECTURING 
HIS SCHOOL. 

A TEACHER while giving a lecture to his school, 
Asked a small boy if he came there to play the 
fool; 
The thoughtless boy replied : "No, Sir-ee, kind 

teacher, 
Nor did I come here to hear a dull preacher." 



OUR POETS. 



T F a great man dies, our poets all 

See him to Heaven's portal ; 
Ten thousand bards will sing his praise, 

And make his name immortal; 
They'll swear by all that is divine, 

He was the nation's glory ; 
They'll stamp his name in blank verse line, 

And leave us read the story. 

If a poor wretch dies, our poets all 

See him to Nick's dominions; 
Ten thousand bards will use their brains 

To blacken his opinions ; 
Triumphantly they'll dedicate 

Their lays to the All-seeing; 



84 OVm (POETS. 

Yea, wear the cloak of the righteous 
To damn their fellow-being. 

But poets are a mystic set, 

And oft sing very queerly ; 
Sometimes they'll praise their enemies, 

And curse their friends sincerely. 
They do not deem it necessary 

To sing always in reason, 
But, as a general thing, you'll hear 

Them sing in every season. 

In olden times the poet's strain 

Was full of manly passion; 
But now-a-days the poet's strain 

Is soften'd to the fashion ; 
He sings in fear of being censured 

By some poor hungry writer, 
Who censures others to save himself 

From growing somewhat lighter. 



OUfR POETS. 83 

Ah, me! if ever in lifetime, I 

Turn out to be a poet, 
I hope and pray that common sense 

Will mark my lines to show it; 
That the songs I'll sing will be written 

In simple English letters, 
And that I'll never try to ape, ^ 

Or trifle with my betters. 



EPIGRAM. 



ON A BEAUTIFUL GIRL. 

■ 

' I ^HAT thou art beautiful, no one dare deny; 

Xo fairer maiden lives beneath the sky ; 
I would take thee for an angel, thou art so sweet, 
If I but knew that angels were full of conceit. 



ISADORE. 



L 1 



IFE seemeth dreary, 
Wretchedly weary, 
No sweet smiles to cheer me, heart sad and sore 
Silent and lonely, 
Ah ! thinking only 
Of my little darling, sweet Isadore. 

Were I but near her, 

Could I but hear her 
Singing sweet melodies, as in days of yore \ 

When as a glad lover, 

I walked through the clover 
With my companion rover, dear Isadore. 

Bright scenes of pleasure, 
Sweet hoars of leisure, 
Earth's rarest treasure, can not restore — 



ISAfiCXkE, 5; 

She who was dearest, 
Truest, sincerest, 
Affectionately nearest, fair Isadore. 

All that I live for, 
Earnestly strive for, 

Hope for, contrive for, is nothing more- 
Then when this life ends, 
This saddened strife ends, 

I will be nearer to my Isadore. 

Spirit immortal ! 

At heaven's portal 
I know thou'rt waiting, to greet me once more ; 

I'll soon reach the river, 

Where we'll join forever, 
To part again never, beloved Isadore ! 



THE PRISONER. 



M : 



EMORY is stealing o'er me, 
The scenes I cherished in the days of yore 
Come back again : the hills, the dells — I see 
The gleaming blue-faced lake, the pebbled shore, 
Where oft I stood, but, ah ! will stand no more. 

I see again the old cottage ; 'gain hear 

My mother's glowing words ; her voice so clear 

'Gain cheers me. She kisses me; bidst me play 

With her — who forever I must hold dear, 

My childhood companion — little sister Ida! 

She comes with smiles that win me like a charm; 

Her sparkling eyes with rapturous joy now beam, 

As off we go, merrily, arm in arm, 

To play on the banks of some crystal stream ; 

O, Christ ! let me die in this beautiful dream. 



THE (PmSOJtfEfR. 80 

Ah ! the dream changes : O, horrors ! I see 

My father staggering — reeling towards me ; 

I see the tears in mother's eyes ; Ida ! 

Ida : come here to me. O, what shall we do ! 

Where shall we go to keep out 0' his way I 

Come Ida ; quick, quick ! he'll strike you. There, 

there ! 
He's striking mother ! She reels ! she falls ! See, 
See: Ida! Ida! he's coming here! Where 
Can we go I He comes ! he comes ! O, Heaven be 
With us. Great God ! why comes this dream to me I 



Farewell, Friendship; thou'st ne'er been true to me: 

I only found thee 'mid scenes of pleasure, 

When Fortune sang to me her melody. 

When life's storms found me without a treasure — 

Homeless — when I cried to thee from the bed 

Of pain and sickness, thou didst not hear me ; 

Xo feathery pillow placed thou 'neath my head ; 

12 



THE (PftISOJfE<R. 

No glowing words spakest thou to cheer me. 
Curst be thee ! thou didst not e'en come near me. 

Ha ! ha ! I'm free at last ! The mystic spell 
That held me so long in the bonds of slavery- 
Has been broken. Thou art a child of Hell, 
Friendship ! Cunning, well versed in knavery — 
A hypocrite. Thou 'st been a curse to me ; 
False and deceiving. 'Tis well we sever : 
Flattery, mockery, I've only found in thee. 
Thou'st fool'd me often, but never, never 
Will I again trust thee. Farewell, forever. 



Ye glittering stars! how fair ye shine to-night; 
And O, thou beauteous moon ! thy sweet light 
Is peeping thro' these iron bars near me. 
How silent is the night — how clear and bright ! 
I hear nothing, and naught cares to hear me. 
Shunned by all, as if the world did fear me ; 



THE (pfRISOJfEfc. gi 

Alone in chains ! Ah, me ! the cursed spell 
That brought me here — allowed men to steer me 
Within these walls — within this dark, cold cell, 
This gloomy, dreary, solitary hell ! 

And thou, so slow, O, Time ! passing so slow ; 

Keeping my soul in bondage, in this woe 

So torturing — this uncontrollable pain ! 

Was I to blame 1 They say I was. Then so 

Be it. Will this deep sanguinary stain 

Of my dark crime forever haunt my brain ? 

Must I live here, and never, never hear 

The sweetness of a friendly voice again I 

Must I feel this torture year after year ? 

Live, die in hell, and Paradise so near ? 

Am I dead to thee, O, Christ? Thou who sought 
The prisoner in his lonely cell ; taught 
Him to feel the enchantment of thy love — 
Am I dead to thee 1 Canst thou not be brought 






02 THE <pfRISOJ?E<&. 

By prayer from thy celestial throne above 

Into this darkened cell ? Dost thou, too, reprove 

My soul ? thou, too, doom it to endless misery ] 

Am I so harden' d that I cannot move 

The divine, compassionate love in thee ? 

Canst thou be Christ and have no love for me ? 

What ! am I lost % Will I ne'er feel the bliss 
Of Heaven? Ne'er feel the joys above this 
World of sin ? What ! never ? Is my destiny 
Hell 2 Into that dark fathomless abyss 
Of sin and crime 1 Into that misery 
Eternal? Into that unquenchable sea 
Of fire ? Is there my future — is it there 1 
Ah ! it comes before my eyes ; See ! see ! Ye 
Infernal fiends ! why come ye here ? How dare 
Ye come ? Away ! mock me not with your stare ! 

Away, ye fiends ! Why at me now ? Am I 

Not harden'd yet? Am I not fit for hell? Why 



THE a^ISOJ\ T ErR. g 3 

Test me again I O. horrors ! hear the groans 
Of tortured victims ! Ah ! see them lie 
Bleeding and in chains ! Hear the mocking moans 
Of the madden'd demons, in deep, wild tones! 
See them hurl their victims into the hot mire ! 
Now see the devils dance ! What ! are they stones \ 
Have they no hearts, no love, no humane desire } 
Fearfully reveling amidst Jehovah's fire ! 

Cries, cries ! horrible cries assail my ears ! 

I see her ! see her ! My murdered victim appears 

Before me ! Hear her pleading for mercy ; 

Ah ! see her stare with eyes swollen with tears ; 

Horrors ! see her white arms stretched out to me, 

Begging for life ! O, woe ! O, misery ! 

Take me, ye demons ! take me out of this cell ; 

Satan, I'm thine ! Hear, hear, I call on thee ! 

Torture me — rack me with the pains of Hell ; 

Do what thou wilt, but break this madd'ning spell. 



04 THE (p<RIS0J7E(R. 

Listen ! What's that I My soul, they come ! they 

come ! 
The demons come to take thee to thy home ! 
See, see ! No, no ! O, heavens ! What is this 
Pale skeleton doing here ? Speak ! speak ! What ! 

dumb i 
Hast thou nothing to say 1 What is thy office 1 
Away, fiend ! What ! move not for me ! What is 
Thy want 1 Speak, devil, speak ! Come, come, un- 

sheath 
Thy tongue. Com'st thou from the dark abyss 
Of sin ? Hold, hold ! I know thee — my breath ! 
Ha! ha! I know thee now — 'tis Death! Death! 

Death ! 



THE CHIEF T A I N . 



O TE ADV. there, steady ! their columns are nighing; 
Whiz : 

Whiz : 

Whiz ! 

Good heavens ! they're at us ! 
Already the lead is whistling, flying ; 
Jove ! I hope none of their balls will spat us ; 
Lay us low before we can combat them ; 
Have patience, my boys, we'll soon get at them. 
Ha ! see how proudly their flags are waving ; 
Hold your fire, there, hold your fire ! 
We'll soon set the proud devils to raving. 
Let them shout, and raise their flags higher, 
We'll soon give them more than thev desire. 



q6 THE CHIEFTAIN. 

Steady, there, steady ! by Jove ! what do you mean. 
Firing at them at the distance they are I 
Let them come nearer, as near as they dare, 
Let their thick columns so proud and serene, 
Come nearer and nearer, we'll soon change the scene; 
We'll soon spoil the harmony of their thunder. 

How slowly they're coming, 

How their balls are humming. 
Whiz ! 

Whiz ! whiz ! 

They're having their fun, 
But before the setting of yonder sun, 
Before to-day's bloody work is done, 
Those thick ranks will be scattered asunder. 

Now, boys, get ready ! 

Fire! 

Fire ! 
Let your steel ring now, 
Make your guns sing now, 



THE CHIEFTAIN. gj 

Let loose the pieces, let them rattle ! 

The louder and deeper the dire 

The more wild and terrific the battle. 

Steady, boys, steady ! 

You 're wasting fire. Shoot low T er ! 

Lower ! 

Lower ! 

Make legs the score; 
(rive them your lead while they 're crossing the 

clover ; 
Let the field be drenched with the enemy's gore. 
That's it ! tumble them over and over ! 
We '11 soon see the whole pack of them lying 
Scattered here and there on the blood-stained field ; 
Let them lie — 

Let them die — 

What care we for their dying, 
They came to conquer but we '11 make them yield. 



13 



g8 THE CHIEFTAIN. 

Now, tigers, for them, give it to them ! 
Let your steel ring and sting, hew them 
Down, like the furious hurricane sweeps down 
The forest. Hurrah ! they 're at a stand ! 
Away ! 

Away ! 
Over the works, boys, over the works ! 
Close in on them, fight them hand to hand, 
Down on them, like the lion leaps down 
On its prey. Into them like a legion of Turks 
Thirsting for the blood of a Christian land. 

Yelling, screaming, 
Bayonets gleaming, 
Proud flags streaming, 

About and o'er us ; 
Bullets flying, 
Wounded sighing, 
And dead lying 

Behind and before us. 



THE CHIEFTAIN. go 

Heavens ! what a terrible conflict this is, 
How the lead whistles and flies and hisses, 
How coolly it lays on the grassy level 
Many a poor but brave mortal devil. 

All Hell is gushing 

From the womb of Earth ! 
Triumphantly flushing 
In its maddened mirth ; 
And Earth, Mother Earth, is mad with herself, 
Her children have broke into wild sedition ; 
One half is fighting the other half for Pelf, 
Whilst the other half is fighting for Ambition. 

Hurrah ! 

There they go! 
Flying ! 

Flying ! 
Now for them, braves, drive them into the river; 
Man ! don't stop for him — what if he is dying ! 



wo THE CHIEFTAIN. 

Would you have a man live here forever % 
Man was born to die — 

Away ! 

Away ! 
Push on, my braves, push ahead, push ahead ! 
Over the wounded and over the dead. 
If my brother fell I'd not stop. What is 
A thousand deaths to a victory like this? 
Down on them, braves, down, down on your prey. 
That's it, push ahead ! ha ! this is glorious ! 
The enemy flying and we again victorious ! 



Z E L A I D E . 



/^\F all the girls that live in town, 

There is none like Zelaide. 
She is the best, up street or down, 

In sunshine or in shade ; 
Go where you will, o'er vale or hill, 

She's fairest 'mong the girls; 
With eyes so blue, and lips — for who'?- 

And, oh! what handsome curls. 

Ofttimes I wish that I could kiss 

Beautiful Zelaide ; 
For 'sooth she is a handsome miss, 

That very same sweet maid. 
And if I live, truly I'll strive 

To win her for my wife ; 
But if I fail, sadly I'll wail, 

And lone will be my life. 



RUSTICATING 



RUSTICATING. 



/"^\UT a rusticating, 

Where cool breezes blow 
Thro' the sylvan bowers, 

Lightly to and fro ; 
Passing summer hours 

Joyously away, 
Where everything is pleasant, 

Lively, bright and gay. 

Out a rusticating, 

Where my Birdie dwells, 
My little bonnie lassie, 

Fairest of rural belles ; 
Came out -here to woo her, 

And win her if I can — 



14 



io6 (RUSTICATING. 

For oh ! I love her dearly, 
If there is love in man. 

Out a rusticating, 

Having lots of fun, 
While city chaps are grumbling 

Under that hot sun, 
Here I am enjoying 

The sweetest spells of life; 
Love and fun together, 

Free from care and strife. 

Skipping thro' the clover, 

Tripping over hills, 
Dashing thro' the woodlands, 

Splashing thro' the rills ; 
Prancing thro 7 the garden, 

Dancing in the barn, 
Yelling at the cattle, • 

Telling some big yarn. 



(RUSTICATING. w; 

Chasing after roosters, 

Racing with the dogs. 
Pushing thro' the bushes, 

Rushing over logs ; 
Climbing over fences, 

Rhyming in the shade, 
Lying in some bower, 

Trying a promenade. 

Straying thro' the orchard, 

Playing 'neath the trees, 
Swinging in the back-yard, 

Singing songs to please ; 
Annoying the hired hands, 

Enjoying their fun, 
They're the jolliest fellows 

Living 'neath the sun. 

Walking down the highway. 
Meeting country girls ; 



(RUSTICATING. 

Pretty bonnie lasses, 
Bright as ocean pearls ; 

Innocent and modest, 

Who does not love them 1 

Fascinating creatures ! 
Every one a gem. 

Pretty bonnie lasses ! 

Healthy, pure and neat ; 
Manners rather simple, 

Yet charming and sweet; 
A la Paris fashions 

Will not do for them ; 
Fascinating creatures, 

Every one a gem. 

Pretty bonnie lasses ! 

Dressed in calico. 
When they meet a fellow, 

How their hearts aglow ; 



(RUSTICATING. 

How their faces redden 
When one speaks to them ; 

Fascinating creatures. 
Every one a gem. 



Hallo ! there's my Birdie ! 

Tripping lightly along: 
Merriest of maidens, 

Full of life and song. 
Ha ! her eyes behold me, 

Now her heart's in glee 
Quicken steps, my Birdie. 

Hasten, sweet, to me. 

Prettiest bonnie lassie 
Living in this place : 

Happy smiles are always 
Playing on your face : 



'RUSTICATING. 

May misfortune never 

Cross your life's pathway ; 

God grant that you may ever 
Be blithesome and gay. 

Arm in arm together 

Slowly let us walk — 
Down into the garden, 

And there we'll have a talk: 
We'll pass away the moments, 

Pass away the hours, 
Resting cozily in 

Nature's fairest bow'rs. 

Birdie, while we trip along 

Carol some melody ; 
Carol, sweet nightingale, 

Songs so dear to me ; 
Your happy melodies 

Make my heart rejoice, 



GtUSTlCATrjTG. in 

For truly, there's nothing 
So charming as your voice. 

SONG "IF YOU'LL BE TRUE TO ME." 

" I'll follow you, I'll follow you, 

Wherever you may go — 
Over the mountains bright and blue, 

And over mountains of snow. 
Xo odds how dark may be the strife, 

I'll ever faithful be; 
I'll fondly cling to you through life, 

If you'll be true to me. 

w * I'll follow you, I'll follow you, 
With you I'll e'er abide ; 
You'll find your sweetheart ever true 

And ever by your side. 
My thoughts, my love, my heart, are thine, 
And evermore will be; 



U2 (RUSTICATING. 

I "11 trust with you all that is mine. 
If you'll be true to me." 

Ha ! that is charming ! 

Quite a song indeed ; 
Now sing another one 

While slowly we proceed ; 
You know I love to hear 

Those molodies of thine ; 
They thrill me with their sweetness 

And harmony divine. 

SONG "BIRDIE'S FAVORITE." 

" Oh ! I love a certain fellow ! 

He's as sweet as sweet can be ; 
But his name I will not tell you. 

For it is too dear to me ; 
Yet altho' my heart he's taken, 

He knows not that it is his ; 



(RUSTICATING. 

Oh ! I would that I could awaken 

His young heart with love's sweet kiss. 

; Oh, he's just as neat and pretty 

As ever a lad can be, 
And you'll not find one more witty 

Than the one so dear to me ; 
Yet, altho' he meets me often, 

He claims me not yet as his. 
Oh ! I would that I could soften 

His young heart with love's sweet kiss. 

; Oh, I love him, love him dearly ! 

He is all this world to me, 
And if he loves not sincerely, 

What a sad life mine will be. 
Oh, I wish that he "would tell me 

Words that would thrill me with bliss — 
Tell me that he loves me dearly, 

For I am already his." 

!5 



(RUSTICATING. 

Birdie, of all the song birds 
You are the sweetest bird ; 

Your voice is far the clearest, 
Finest I've ever heard. 

Your songs fill me with gladness, 
They fill my heart with glee : 

They awaken old memories, 

And bring dear thoughts to me. 

Halloo ! here's the garden, 

Here the bee reposes ; 
Here, my bonnie lassie, 

We'll rest among the roses ; 
While Nature's sweet songsters 

Will flit 'bout and o'er us, 
Chanting their wild carols, 

Ringing loud the chorus. 

Flowers sweetly blooming — 
Well may we be joyous 



USTICATING. 

Resting 'mong the roses, 
With nought to annoy us, 

I will wreathe some flowers 
In your auburn tresses, 

While your dainty fingers 
Shower fond caresses. 

Birdie, listen to me, 

I've a word to say : 
I want a little song-bird 

To be mine alway ; 
To sing when I am lonely, 

To sing when I am sad ; 
To sing and for me only, 

To make me fore'er glad. 

I want a little maiden 
Fore'er to be my own, 

One who'll ever love me, 
And love me alone : 



(RUSTICATING. 

A tender-hearted maiden, 
Full of love and cheer; 

One whose ways are pleasant, 
Gentle and sincere." 

I've hunted thro' cities 

And thro' country places, 
Seeking for my heart's darling 

? Mong the pretty faces ; 
But till I met you, Birdie, 

I never met my dearest; 
You are my love's first choice, 

You are my heart's nearest. 

There are charms about you 
More than half divine, 

And the soul within you 
Binds my soul to thine ; 

You have pierced my bosom 
With Love's mystic dart — 



(RUSTICATING. 

Birdie, I do love you, 

Love you with all my heart. 

Do you love me \ come, now. 

Look me in the face, 
Let me see your hazel eyes, 

And my fate I'll trace ; 
Look up, pretty Birdie, 

Will you bless my life ? 
Will you be my darling — 

Will you be my wife? 

Dearest, will you be mine '? 

Come, now, don't say no ; 
• k Silence always gives consent,'' 

So you 're mine, I know. 
I'll kiss away the blushes 



Blooming for me alone, 



Enfold you to my bosom, 
My beautiful, my own ! 



(RUSTICATING. 

By the gods immortal ! 

Birdie, you eclipse 
Any of the lasses, 

With your honey lips ; 
Your delicious kisses 

Thrill me thro' and thro' — 
What would be this wide world, 

Darling, without you % 

Bosom gently heaving, 

Heart beating in its glee ; 
Delicate white arms clinging 

'Round my neck tenderly ; 
Beautiful radiant eyes 

Beaming into mine ; 
Penetrating into mine, 

Love, pure and divine. 

Happiness Elysian'? 
Paradise regained ! 



(RUSTICATING 

This may be but a vision— 

If so, I am a saint. 
Surely its enchanting, 

Sweetest joy below \ 
Courting 'mong the roses,— 

Birdie, ain't it so : 



Out a rusticating 

Summer hours away, 
While city chaps are toiling 

All the live long day — 
Here I am so coolly, 

Sitting in the shade, 
Tenderly embracing 

My darling little maid. 

Gentle breezes sweeping 
Thro' our sylvan home — 



120 ftUSTICJTLNG. 

Would'nt give a penny 
Ever 'gain to roam ; 

Rather in my happiness 
Linger here alone — 

Gaily rusticating 

With my love, my own. 



THE END. 



